Comparing 3D Filaments with the LS173 Colorimeter.

Both the Linshang LS-170 and the LS-173 have USB ports for charging.  But, only the LS-173 can also link to a computer via USB for color capture.  This was the primary reason for making that additional purchase.  While it turns out that the Windows app designed to work with the LS-173 doesn't report the complete range of color information as does the smartphone app.  It does perform one vital function that I have found to be very useful.

The Windows application is called Color Haze Meter.   The 'Haze' part of the name indicates that the software is designed to work with a variety of products including the LS155 Color Haze Meter for measuring and comparing the clarity of transparent materials and liquids.  I believe it is used in brewing industries.

Here is the screen layout of the Color Haze Meter software:  (Click to see full size)

Color Haze Meter Software for the Linshang LS173

 

TOP PORTION OF THE SCREEN 

The software expects to see two different scans before it renders a verdict on the outcome of the comparison.  In our case we wanted to compare the identically identified colors from Bambu Labs and Marswork.  In every case the published HEX values between the comparisons were identical.  The question we wanted to know is just how closely they actually match.  We first scanned the Bambu Labs and then scanned the comparable Marswork filament.

Since the primary goal of this application is to compare two different samples the color information presented is limited as LAB color values.  Each row contains the LAB color information for the "Standard" that was scanned and the comparison "Sample".  

As each pair is sampled, the last column in the Comparison Measurement spreadsheet provides a helpful comment.  In the case of the comparison of the Bambu Labs Mistletoe Green vs the Markswork Mistletoe Green it reports that the differences in the Lightness (L*) values was "Normal" and the Marswork sample had a "Slight Red" bias and a "Slight Blue" bias.

But, the most important notification is in the bottom cell where it says, "PASS", meaning that the two samples are within acceptable color difference limits.

In fact, in every case, using the default industry standard delta Thresholds of 5.0 every single comparison PASSED, meaning from a visual standpoint they were functionally equivalent.

BOTTOM PORTION OF THE SCREEN

The Color Haze Software allows us to scan batches of samples and with each two scan cycle it stores the result in a line on the lower half of the screen.  In this case, we made 5 different comparisons and changed the name of each line to indicate the color tested.

But, here is the really nice part. With just one button click we can export the results to an Excel spreadsheet where we can format the presentation any way we want!  (Click to see full size)

Formatted Excel Export from the Color Haze Meter Software

 

I find this to be incredibly helpful information.  For it tells me that should a certain color not be available from one vendor, there is another vendor's product that is virtually an exact match!

ABOUT THOSE SLIGHT DIFFERENCES 

Quite frankly, if I hold one of my test swatches for Bambu Labs Basic Jade White up against the side of the LS173, it's clear that the 3D filament is not precisely HEX #FFFFFF or RGB(255,255,255).  The plastic of the injected case for the LS173 is slightly brighter.  The question is, "Why?"

Actually, the published value is the "TARGET" used by the manufacturers to determine the colorants to be used to make the final product.   Asking AI about white filament revealed that raw 3D printer filament is naturally translucent.  So, Titanium Oxide is used to make it as close to the "White" target as possible.  But, from batch to batch there can be minor fluctuations even among the same brand.  That's normal.

This concept of a published HEX color being a "TARGET" is true of all colors.  What is important is the "Perceived Color" of the final product.  As we examine these results comparing LS173 scans of like colors from Bambu Labs and Marswork, we see some differing values.  (Click to see full size)

LS173 Comparisons: Bambu Labs / Marswork

But, if we look very closely at the far right it is clear that the "Perceived Colors" are virtually identical for the vast majority of users.  Can there be perceived differences over time?  Conceivably, but in theory, those same minor differences could show up in the very same product line, since colors are newly mixed with every new batch.

 

Cataloging New Filament Stock With MarsWork Filament Management Kit

As we described in an earlier post, it's very easy to manage open filaments by color using the MarsWork Filament Management System.  But, managing new stock, when first starting, requires a bit iof a different approach unless you want to open each new spool to print a color ID tag.  We didn't want to do that since we work in a humid environment.

At home I have little need to track new stock because I typically use a just-in-time strategy when buying filament.  But, at work we tend to buy in larger lots to take advantage of Bambu's bulk pricing.

We decided to create a slightly different ID Tag to use with the hook & loop cards from MarsWork. With new stock we assign a color based on the filament type and include the Bambu stock number and color for the text.

Each column of the card represents a stack of filament.

Here is our initial New Stock Card layout.

Initial New Stock Card

It represents exactly how the stacks of filament were located on our shelf.  Yellow ID tags represent PLA Basic spools.  Green represents ABS spools.  Black represents ASA spools and white is used to represent TPU.  We will assign new color as needed.  

But, the first thing that stood out is how many duplicates we had of certain colors randomly located throughout the stacks.   This provoked us to reorganize the stacks by Bambu Stock ID number.  This should minimize unnecessary duplication.  Why we ordered 3 of any one color is anybody's guess.

re-organized Stacks and ID Tags for New Stock

 This re-organized card was then included in the box with the other filament management cards.

Complete card set for organizing Filament.

The blue card is installed filament.  The gray cards are opened & stored filaments,  And, the green card(s) will keep track of our new stock.

we are also considering the use of the MarsWork system to keep track of replacement parts, like new print heads, etc, and other expendables like nozzle wipers.  It's a very versatile system.

Expanding our Plans for the MarsWork Filament Management System

Quite by accident, I discovered that the 'loop' cards in the MarsWork Filament Management Kit are more than just simple card stock.  They are 'peel & stick'!

The first implication of this newly discovered fact is that I can use the self-sticking feature to more securely attach the cut columns to our storage buckets.  But, it also prompted us to develop 3D printed frames to more clearly identify the rows and columns on the cards.

Installed Filament Frames

The first frame we created allows us to see all of the filaments currently loaded into our current printers and dryers 

Installed Filament Frame for MarsWork Card

One of the reasons why this is important to us is that we might look over at the X1C and believe we have Pumpkin Orange loaded when, in fact, we have Orange loaded.  It also helps us identify the maker and type of each loaded filament at any given moment.  The more printers we install, the more this will become important/

 Stored Filament Frames

In our last blog article we discussed how we store filament in air-tight containers.   For now, we are using 5 gallon buckets.  While this sample frame just allows us to see what is in a particular bucket number, it could be expanded to include the location as well, and any other pertinent information.

Stored Filament Documentation

 

By the way, we use PLA ID Cards to identify TPU due to issues handling TPU in multi-color printers.  Yes, we can get it work; but, it's not fun!

Unopened Filament Frames

I would show a sample; but, I'm waiting for some additional cards to arrive.  Documenting what we have on hand is a bit tougher than documenting what is in storage because it involves colors and types of which we have not printed ID Tags.  So, this capability will have to reply on placeholders of a bland color simply holding the information until we actually open a spool and print the correct ID tag,  The organization is similar to that of the buckets,  Conveniently, our current new inventory is in stacks of 5 boxes permitting us to instantly locate the stack and position of the filemtn we need to open.

Repeat Project Frames 

Believe it or not, this is a big one.  We have projects that are reasonably complex that are repeated every few moths or a year. One such project is a 'Cruise Ship Ducky' that utilizes multiple blue hues that are hard to remember.  Being able to not only document what colors were used; but, also in which order will make these projects a lot easier to successfully be duplicated. 

Filament Card Organizer

When having a series of cards with which to keep track, it's helpful to be able to organize them in a convenient way.  We have opted to 3D print a box that stores the cards in a vertically tiered way that can easily fit on our desk.  At the moment it holds up to 5 cards.

Filament Management System Organizer for MarsWork ID Tags

Sometimes, simple systems can have enormous benefits in a multi-color, multi-printer, multi-user environment. We're very happy we found the MarsWork Quick-Swap spools and the Filament Management Kit.

MarsWork Filament Management System Streamlines Our Workflow

We are located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the USA.  Humidity is a major issue.  So, for more than a decade it has been a major priority for us to find ways to safely store filament in our inventory.  Very early, we began sealing opened filament in Filament Vacuum Storage bags and storing them in 5 gallon pain buckets available at local hardware stores.

What we hadn't anticipated was that the introduction of multi-color and multi-head 3D printers would explode the size of our inventory so rapidly!  In the past we had loaded a color into a printer and kept using it until it was gone.  But, now we find ourselves constantly swapping filament with each new project. And, of course, that means being able to find the filament we want as quickly as possible and storing unused filament so that we can find it.

For me, this involves both work and home.  At work, we run a Bambu X1C with 2 AMS units, an A1 with an AMS Lite, 2 A1 Mini's and a Snapmaker U1.  At home, I run two A1 Mini 3D printers, one having the AMS Lite.  In both situations we use multiple 5 Gallon buckets as our primary storage of opened filament.  While our filament demands at work are the greatest, even at home, I need eight buckets. Each bucket holds at least five spools of filament.

Up to now we had attempted to use erasable labels on the tops of the 5 gallon buckets.

Old Way - Erasble Labels to Locate Filament

While in theory that seemed like a good idea, in actual practice it was less than desirable. The core issue is just how difficult it is to write legibly on a recessed label... when you can actually find the marker when you need it.  Even if all the buckets have legible labels, it's more than a little effort to read through the list as we search through buckets.  It worked.  But, barely.

To be honest, we often just used the label to identify the type or make of filament stored; but, not the color.  And, that was more of an issue than we thought.  At work, for consistency across repeated runs of specific products we have standardized on Bambu filaments. While the RFID in Bambu Spools identifies the type of filament, there is nothing on a Bambu spool identifying the EXACT color. It turns out that it isn't so easy to identify Orange from Pumpkin Orange if you do not have both side-by-side to compare.  And, trying to identify transparent colors after-the-fact can be even trickier.

MarsWork ID Tags to the Rescuer! 

When  we found the Quick-Swap Spools from Marswork, we instantly realized how valuable the ID Tag system would be to us.  It would allow use to PRECISELY identify filament Maker, Type and Color in a way we had not been able to do previously.

MarsWork ID Tag on MarsWork Spool

We have decided to standardize on the Quick-Swap Spools for all future purchases of  refills both at work and home. These spools offer so many advantages over other refillable spools.  It is the only secure system we've found.   And, the only system that permits us to freely swap out refills as needed.  We've had spool failures with other systems in the past and it's no fun/

We have found that the most cost-effective way to obtain these quick-Swap spools is to purchase the 8 spool bundle available on Amazon.

 

MarsWork Quick-Swap 8 Spool Bundle

But, it also didn't take us long to realize that these same tags used with the Quick-Swap spools would be useful across our entire inventory.  So we designed a 3D printed hub mount for our existing Bambu inventory as well.  And, we have seen immediate benefits.  

Hub Mounting a MarsWork ID Tag for Precise Identify

 

We feed our Snapmaker U1 from a Sovol SH03 dryer, so there is no need to remove these hub inserts when mounted.  The same is true for the X1C which is fed from two AMS units.  For the A1 and A1 mini, we simple pop out the hub insert and keep it right by the printer while that color is loaded.  
 

Hub sitting on printer while filament is loaded

The capability to precisely identify the maker, type and color of every one of our spools of filament would have been an amazing step forward in our workflow.  But, MarsWork had one more surprise for us. 

The MarsWork Filament Management KIT: A True Game Changer

Shortly after finding the MarsWork Quick-Swap spools and the ID Tag Insert innovation we discovered another gem from Marswork... the Filament Management Kit.

Filament Management Kit.

The kit includes velcro straps, double-side RFID tape, a sheet of self-adhesive "loop" pads and 2 "hook" cards.  The latter two groups of items, along with the 3D printed ID tag Inserts available on MakersWorld, have turned out to be extremely important  for super-charging our workflow.

Using the Cards & ID Tags to Identify Filament Currently Mounted. 

The "hook" cards provide spaces, divided into columns and rows for attaching MarsWork ID Tags using the self-adhesive "loop" pads.

At both Work and Home, we marked one of the cards into sections identifying our 3D printers and dryers.  This example shows the home version, having an A1 Mini with AMS-Lite, an A1 Mini (Mono) and a Sunlu Dryer.

"In Use" Card Precisely Identifies Filament

For now, we are leaving the other columns open for future uses that might come to light.  For each of the filaments in our inventory, we are printing 6 ID tags. It takes 25-30 minutes per tag set.  We have created a special storage box for the un-used tags.

3D Printed Box of MarsWork ID Tags 

Using the Cards & ID Tags to Streamline Our Storage

The real benefits of finding the MarsWork Management Kt came next.  It did require our purchasing multiple kits to obtain the number of cards we needed.  I am hoping that MarsWork will offer the cards and pads in larger bundles in the future.  At home, we needed enough cards to identify and track filaments across 8 buckets.

We have abandoned our erasable label system with a MUCH better solution! 

Each card is organized into 4 columns and five rows.  Each bucket holds 5 spools of filament.  So, the first thing we did is identify each column on a card by it's related bucket.

Columns Idenfied by Related Bucket Number

In the above sample, each column instantly lets us know what is in buckets 2 through 4.  This card is updated as filament is removed or added.

We next cut a card into four cards, each having 5 rows.  We then replaced the erasable labels on the top of each bucket with one of these cut pieces.

Cut "Hook" card column attached to Bucket Top

 Now, not only can we instantly see what is in the bucket much easier than the old label system, we have a second reference immediately available at our desk.  There is no ambiguity and the process has become streamlined in a way that was not possible before.

Filament Easy Located in Multiple buckets 

 

It has now become super-fast to find the filament we need.  I think it should be obvious that color ID Tags with printed information is a lot easier to and faster to search than hand-written scrawls!  

This is just the beginning of discovering how we can streamline our filament handling using the Marswork ID Tag system.  As we build our library of tags, I can see it helping us to keep track of unopened new filament inventory and being able to remind us of colors we need to order.  In creating new ID tags I came across some colors I had previously used and forgotten high nicely they looked printed.

It would be helpful if MarsWork would expand on their Filament Management System by offering sets that included more master cards and sets of self-adhesive single column cards. I'm extremely pleased with what this system has managed to do for us both at work and at home.

Special Note: The value of the ID Tag System to PRECISELY identify COLOR cannot be overstated. We have already come across filaments we had misidentified because we had not documented the color when it was first opened,  The same is true for type and manufacturer in many cases.